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2013 volkswagen tiguan Model Overview

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If you like the Volkswagen Golf, but are looking for something a little bigger, you’ll enjoy the Volkswagen Tiguan, which is essentially a hatchback crossover version of the Golf. What makes it special is its advanced driving dynamics, thanks to its build based on the GTI. You’ll also find a powerful turbocharged engine under the hood, linked to a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.

You’re also likely to appreciate the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan’s upscale interior, which may seem more suited to a luxury sedan than a crossover SUV. With the Tiguan, you’re getting a luxurious interior and an upscale driving experience, but what are you giving away? One thing you’re sacrificing is cargo space, which is not as plentiful as you’ll find in other crossovers. Since one of the main reasons to buy a crossover is extra carrying space, this may be an important factor to think about. The price of the Tiguan could be more competitive for a compact SUV, especially at the better trim levels, and, perhaps of less concern but still worth considering, fuel economy for the Tiguan is not the best. The Tiguan comes in three trim levels: S, SE and SEL, with the upgraded trims primarily offering more luxurious interior features and the option to add on features like a sun roof and a navigation computer. The base S model is fairly stocked on luxury to begin with, and the price jumps pretty fast with the higher trim levels, especially if you’re adding all-wheel drive, so you may want to ask yourself if you really need all the bells and whistles that come with the higher trims before you take the plunge.

If you’re in the market for a crossover, like the Volkswagen styling and appreciate a good ride, check out the Tiguan. If you’re looking for value, need a lot of trunk room, or are concerned about fuel economy, there are definitely a number of other great options out there for you to look at.

New For 2013

Volkswagen did a lot of redesigning in 2012, and the Tiguan was part of that movement, so you won’t see too many changes in the 2013 model. Standard features on the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan are a leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, electronic parking brake with hill-hold assist, and power passenger seat for the upgraded trim levels. The LE trim is now history.

Exterior

The 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan sort of looks like a stretched out version of the Golf that it is based on, so if you’re a fan of the Volkswagen Golf’s exterior styling, you’ll probably appreciate the look of the Tiguan. If not, or you’re looking for a more distinctive look in your crossover, the Tiguan may not be your ideal choice. The base model comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, a fixed liftgate window and rear power liftgate door and optional trailer hitch. The SE features an optional power glass sunroof, roof rack and privacy glass, along with 18-inch alloy wheels. The SEL gives you all the SE features but upgrades you to 19-inch wheels. Color options include Candy White, Deep Black Metallic, Night Blue Metallic, and Wild Cherry Metallic.

Interior & Cargo

There’s no question that the interior of the five passenger Tiguan is a big selling point. It’s quite upscale, with luxurious, yielding surfaces and lots of leather touches. Even the base S model offers full power accessories, leather wrapped tilt and telescoping steering wheel, leather wrapped shift knob, and eight speaker audio with CD player. Passenger space is ample, with 35.8 inches of rear leg room and 40.1 inches of front leg room, but cargo space could be better for a crossover, 23.8 cu. ft. with all seats in place, expandable to 56.1 cu. ft. The fully loaded SEL offers leather bucket front seats, multi-level front seat heating, an eight way power driver’s seat, adjustable lumbar support, a fold flat passenger seat, a split folding rear seatback, reclining rear seats, power everything, Bluetooth capability, and a display navigation system among its features.

Safety

As you’ll find with most Volkswagens, the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan is great on safety, which is definitely something you’re likely to be looking for in a crossover. In Insurance Institute of Highway Safety crash tests, the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan scored the top rating of ?Good? in all four major areas: Frontal offset test, side impact test, roof strength test and rear crash protection test. The Tiguan has a four-wheel antilock brake system with ventilated front disc and solid rear disc brakes.

Other safety features that can be found on the Volkswagen Tiguan include front and rear head airbags and dual front side-mounted airbags, emergency brake assist and electronic brake force distribution, tire pressure monitoring, stability and traction control and tire pressure monitoring. The Tiguan has child seat anchors for driving with young children as well as rear door child safety locks. For theft prevention, there is an alarm system and engine immobilizer.

Driving Experience

The 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan definitely brings more performance than you might normally expect in a compact SUV, and is available in front wheel drive or 4Motion all-wheel drive. The 2.0-liter, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine linked to a six-speed manual or six-speed shiftable automatic transmission delivers 200 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque. Gas mileage is a merely adequate 18/26 mpg city/highway with the manual transmission, 21/26 mpg city/highway on the automatic, and 20/26 on the all-wheel drive model. Still, if you’re a fan of good driving, the advanced driving dynamics of the Tiguan, which makes it drive more like a GTI, will probably be worth a few extra stops at the pump.

Key Competitors For The 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan

2013 Volkswagen Tiguan Pricing

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price

$25,010

Certified Pre Owned Pricewhat is this?

$15,575

Certified Pre-Owned Price is the approximate price a consumer can expect to pay at a dealership for a used vehicle that has passed the manufacturer's certification process. This price applies only to vehicles covered under an automaker's CPO program, not to a dealership's own "certified" used price.

Recalls

Recall ID#14V441000 - FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Consequence

A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.

Recall Date

0000-00-00

Description

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Tiguan vehicles manufactured July 2007 to June 2014. When using winterized fuel, in certain conditions bubbles may form in the fuel system which could result in the vehicle stalling.

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle's software to increase the fuel pump pressure, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin August 19, 2014. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24AV/2W.

Units Affected

151389

Recall ID#15V483000 - AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Consequence

A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Recall Date

0000-00-00

Description

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, and Passat, 2010-2013 Eos, 2011-2014 Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Tiguan, and 2012-2014 Jetta Sportwagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, debris may contaminate the air bag clock spring, a spiral wound, flat cable that keeps the air bag powered while the steering wheel is being turned. This contamination may tear the cable and result in a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off. If the airbag light is on and the steering wheel clock spring requires replacement, dealers will install a new steering wheel clock spring. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987.

2013 Volkswagen Tiguan News and Reviews

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